Method for analyzing fluid flow within a three-dimensional object

Abstract

A flow analysis system is provided comprising a fully automatic and dynamic system for performing flow analysis on solid models. The system combines aspects of the mid-plane generation and prismatic filling systems in a way that is transparent to the user. The generation of a mid-plane mesh and the flow analysis of the mesh proceed in parallel. The analysis can be halted at any stage, at which point the user can visualize the results of the partial analysis. The data on which the analysis is being performed, the mid-plane mesh, is totally invisible to the user. This system also uses prismatic solid mesh generation to give the user the ability to view cross sections of the models after the analysis stage.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH[0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO APPENDIX[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]A. Field of the Invention[0005]The present invention relates to a method for analyzing fluid flow within a three-dimensional object, and more particularly to an automated flow analysis system, and, even more particularly, to a mid-plane flow analysis system wherein the generation of the mid-plane mesh and the analysis of the mid-plane mesh are synchronous dynamic operations.[0006]Injection molding is one of the most productive industrial processes used to produce plastic objects.[0007]Its advantage over other manufacturing process include the ability to produce both large and small complex parts, with aesthetic contours and restrictive tolerances. It enables high volume production without the need for secondary finishing operations using highly automated techniques.The process is base...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0045]It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such an automated flow analysis system that is more rapid than traditional Moldflow analysis.

[0049]It is still another object of the present invention to provide such an automated flow analysis system that does not require large volumes of data and long computation time.

[0052]It is still another object of the present invention to provide such an automated flow analysis system that uses prismatic solid mesh generation to give the user the ability to view cross sections of the models after the analysis stage.

Problems solved by technology

Flow analysis is a complex task that demands high levels of skill and judgment from those who use it, and is a task that can only realistically be performed using computer models.

As a moulded part typically consists of hundreds or thousands of faces this is a laborious and error prone task.

As a moulded part typically consists of hundreds of surfaces the generation of the mid-plane surfaces requires a lot of manual work and the process becomes a laborious manual and error prone task.

In this case the generation of the solid mesh is automatic, but the volume of data is immense.

The computation time for the flow analysis is very long, and in the majority of cases unacceptable in an industrial environment.

As will be appreciated, none of these prior patents even address the problem faced by applicant let alone offer the solutions proposed herein.

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